Mesh network nodes configured to alleviate congestion in cellular network

ABSTRACT

A plurality of nodes in a first network mitigate data restrictions on access points which are an interface between the first network and a second network. The access points advertise their access parameters to the second network to the nodes. The nodes maintain a list of the advertised access parameters of each access point. The nodes determine whether to transmit data to the second network according to a first transmission mode or a second transmission mode based on the data to be transmitted and the list of access parameters maintained by that node. In the first transmission mode, the node determines to transmit the data to a first access point having a lowest cost with that node. In the second transmission mode, the node determines to transmit the data to a second access point having fewer access restrictions to the second network than the first access point.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Non-ProvisionalApplication No. 14/426,435, filed on Mar. 6, 2015, which is a U.S.national phase application of International Application No.PCT/US2014/054878, filed on Sep. 10, 2014, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/875,762, filed on Sep. 10, 2013. Theentire contents of these earlier applications are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system including a mesh networkoperating in conjunction with a wide area cellular network, to nodes inthe mesh network being configured to alleviate congestion in thecellular network, and to a method of avoiding congestion in the cellularnetwork.

BACKGROUND

In view of increasing amounts of machine type communication (MTC)traffic and limited available frequencies, cellular network providers(hereinafter “cellular providers”) have implemented congestionmitigation techniques such as (i) access class barring, (ii) extendedaccess barring, and (iii) low access priority indications to prevent orlimit a cellular-enabled end point device from accessing the cellularnetwork to transport data. In some cases, the connection to the cellularnetwork might be available but not optimal to the payload of datatransmitted by a cellular-enabled end point device due to a lowerbandwidth connection or a high latency connection when the payloadrequires a high data rate or lower latency, or both. In either case, theconnection issues to the cellular networks could be specific to acellular-enabled end point device.

A mesh network is a network topology in which nodes of the network canrelay data for other nodes of the network. An example of a wireless meshnetwork is an advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) system for collectingdata from utility meters (e.g., electricity, gas, water, etc.),reporting the collected data to a utility, and communicating databetween the meters and utility. In such an AMI system, the meters maytransmit data to access points (also referred to as gateways) whichserve as an interface between a local area network composed of meternodes, and a separate network through which the access point(s) is/areconnected to a back office or central station of the utility. The accesspoints may communicate with the back office using a cellular network.The use of such cellular networks may be restricted according to datausage policies designated by the cellular providers. For example, thecellular provider of a particular cellular network may restrict one ormore of the access points to an individual monthly data limit. Theaccess points can utilize different cellular providers, each of whichcan impose different data restrictions.

SUMMARY

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a systemwhich includes a plurality of nodes connected in a first wirelessnetwork, and a plurality of access points connected to the firstwireless network and to at least one second wireless network distinctfrom the first wireless network. The plurality of access points eachrespectively constitute an interface between the first wireless networkand the at least one second wireless network. Each of the access pointsis configured to advertise its access parameters to the at least onesecond wireless network to the nodes in the first wireless network. Theaccess parameters include an indication of access restrictions thecorresponding access point currently has to the at least one secondwireless network. Each of the nodes is configured to maintain a list ofthe access parameters of each access point in the first wireless networkbased on the advertised access parameters respectively transmitted fromthe access points. Each of the nodes is configured to determine whetherdata is to be transmitted to the second wireless network according toone of a first transmission mode and a second transmission mode based onthe data to be transmitted and the list of access parameters maintainedby that node. In the first transmission mode, the node is configured todetermine to transmit the data to a first one of the access pointshaving a lowest cost between the node and the first one of the accesspoints. In the second transmission mode, the node is configured todetermine to transmit the data to a second one of the access pointshaving fewer access restrictions to the second wireless network than thefirst one of the access points.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method ofmitigating data restrictions for a plurality of nodes connected in afirst wireless network. A plurality of access points are connected tothe first wireless network and to at least one second wireless networkdistinct from the first wireless network. The plurality of access pointseach respectively constitute an interface between the first wirelessnetwork and the at least one second wireless network. The methodincludes advertising, by the access points, access parameters to the atleast one second wireless network to the nodes in the first wirelessnetwork, the access parameters including an indication of accessrestrictions the corresponding access point currently has to the atleast one second wireless network, respectively. The exemplary methodincludes maintaining, by the nodes in the first wireless network, a listof the access parameters of each access point in the first wirelessnetwork based on the advertised access parameters respectivelytransmitted from the access points. The exemplary method also includesdetermining, by at least one of the nodes in the first wireless network,whether data is to be transmitted to the second wireless networkaccording to one of a first transmission mode and a second transmissionmode based on the data to be transmitted and the list of accessparameters maintained by that node. In the first transmission mode, theat least one node determines to transmit the data to a first one of theaccess points having a lowest cost between the node and the first one ofthe access points. In the second transmission mode, the at least onenode determines to transmit the data to a second one of the accesspoints having fewer access restrictions to the second wireless networkthan the first one of the access points.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a programtangibly stored thereon that, when executed by a processor of at leastone node connected in a first wireless network, causes the at least onenode to execute a method of mitigating data restrictions encountered byat least one access point among a plurality of access points connectedto the first wireless network and to at least one second wirelessnetwork distinct from the first wireless network, the plurality ofaccess points each respectively constituting an interface between thefirst wireless network and the at least one second wireless network. Themethod includes receiving, from the access points, advertised accessparameters to the at least one second wireless network to the nodes inthe first wireless network, the access parameters including anindication of access restrictions the corresponding access pointcurrently has to the at least one second wireless network, respectively.The method also includes maintaining a list of the access parameters ofeach access point in the first wireless network based on the advertisedaccess parameters respectively transmitted from the access points. Inaddition, the method includes determining whether data is to betransmitted to the second wireless network according to one of a firsttransmission mode and a second transmission mode based on the data to betransmitted and the list of access parameters maintained by the at leastone node. In the first transmission mode, the method includesdetermining to transmit the data to a first one of the access pointshaving a lowest cost between the node and the first one of the accesspoints. In the second transmission mode, the method includes determiningto transmit the data to a second one of the access points having feweraccess restrictions to the second wireless network than the first one ofthe access points.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional refinements, advantages and features of the presentdisclosure are described in more detail below with reference toexemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system including a mesh network configured forcommunicating with a cellular network, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a node in the mesh network according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a system including a mesh network configured forcommunicating with a cellular network, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram illustrating a method according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system andmethod for overcoming data restrictions in a cellular network by nodesof a mesh network connected to the cellular network determining whetherto utilize other nodes in the mesh network to transport data to thecellular network.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a system 100 including a mesh network configuredfor communicating with a cellular network, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, a pluralityof nodes 101 are arranged in one or more local area networks (LAN) 102.In the example of FIG. 1, nodes N-1 to N-9 are arranged in LAN 1, nodesN-7 to N-15 are arranged in LAN 2, and nodes N-13 to N-21 are arrangedin LAN 3. As illustrated, some of the nodes can be members of more thanone LAN. For instance, nodes N-7 to N-9 are members of LAN 1 and LAN 2,and nodes N-13 to N-15 are members of LAN 2 and LAN 3. The LANs 102illustrated in FIG. 1 are each respectively an example of a firstwireless network as used herein.

The nodes 101 are each connected to one more access points (AP) 103which are interfaces between the LANs 102 and a wide area network (WAN)104. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the WAN 104 is a cellular network managed by at least onecellular network provider. In the example of FIG. 1, the WAN 104 is acellular network managed by one cellular network provider. The presentdisclosure is not limited thereto, as will be discussed below. The APs103 may be connected to one or more back office stations (BOS) orservers 105 via the WAN 104. The BOS 105 can function to distributecommands to the APs 103 and/or nodes 101, and to receive data from thenodes 101 and/or APs 103 via the WAN 104.

Each of the nodes 101 is configured to discover other nodes 101 and APs103 in the mesh network by listening to all neighbors with which it canset up links. The nodes 101 may then construct a routing table with anordered list of next hops and corresponding path costs (advertised costof egress by the next hop). The nodes 101 may register with theirupstream nodes as well as the APs 103. By registering with the APs 103,the nodes 101 can obtain a respectively unique network address for eachAP with which the nodes 101 register. For example, node N-5 can registerwith AP-1 and AP-2 to obtain two respectively unique network addresses,one based on the registration with AP-1 and another based on theregistration with AP-2. Node N-5's addresses can, for example, be basedon a prefix respectively associated with the individual APs and a uniqueidentifier (e.g., MAC address) of the node. For example, node N-5 canhave a first address based on a prefix associated with AP-1 and theunique identifier of node N-5, and a second address based on a prefixassociated with AP-2 and the unique identifier of node N-5. The nodes101 can register their address(es) with upstream nodes 101 as well asthe APs 103 and BOS 105. A node have multiple addresses providesmultiple routes to reach that node. In the above example of node N-5having two unique addresses, the BOS 105 can transmit commands or datato node N-5 through the WAN 104 via AP-1 or via AP-2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a node 101 inthe mesh network. As shown in FIG. 2, the node 101 includes a processingunit 210, a communication unit 220, an input unit 230, and a memory slot240. The processing unit 210 includes a processor 211, a read-onlymemory (ROM) 212, a random access memory (RAM) 213, a memory unit 214, areception unit 215, and a transmission unit 216. The processor 211controls the aggregate functions of each component of the node 101. Theprocessor 211 may include a general-purpose processor such as an ARM,Intel or AMD processor, and/or an Application-Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC). The ROM 212 stores programs, such as an operating systemand computer-readable application programs, and logic instructions whichare executed by the processor 211. The memory unit 214 is a non-volatilememory which can also record computer-readable application programs tobe executed by the processor 211. The memory slot 240 is configured toreceive a removable non-volatile memory card and/or disc insertedtherein, such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, BD-ROM, flash memory, opticalmemory, etc. The memory slot 240 communicatively couples terminals ofthe removable memory card/disc to the processing unit 210 to provide thecomponents of the processing unit 210 access to data and applicationprograms recorded on the memory card/disc, and to store data thereon.The RAM 213 is used as a working memory by the processor 211 whenexecuting the programs and logic instructions recorded in the ROM 212,memory unit 214 and/or memory card/disc inserted into the memory slot240. The ROM 212, memory unit 214 and memory card/disc inserted into thememory slot 240 are examples of a non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium on which an operating system and/or applicationprograms of the node 101 can be recorded and executed by the processor211. The processor 211 is configured to communicate with any of thesecomputer-readable recording media and thus is communicatively connectedto these computer-readable media.

The reception unit 215 receives data from the communication unit 220 andforwards the received data to the processor 211 for appropriateprocessing. The transmission unit 216 receives data that is instructedto be sent to the communication unit 220 by the processor 211, andtransmits the instructed data to the communication unit 220.

The communication unit 220 is an interface (e.g., transceiver) betweenthe node 101 and other nodes 101 and/or one or more of the APs 103 inthe network(s) 102. The communication unit 220 can transmit data to oneor more nodes as individual messages, a multicast message or a broadcastmessage. The communication unit 220 also receives data and/orinstructions from other nodes 102 and/or APs 103. Received data and/orinstructions are forwarded to the processor 211 by the reception unit215.

The input unit 230 can include keys and pointing devices that can bemanipulated by an operator of the node 101. For example, the input unit230 can include a QWERTY keyboard, a trackball or similar selecting andpointing device, a number pad, etc. The input unit 230 can include adisplay device configured to visually display an input received by suchkeys and/or pointing devices. The input unit 230 can also include amulti-input touch screen with a virtual keyboard and buttons representedin a graphical user interface (GUI). Operating instructions received bythe input unit 230 are forwarded to the processor unit 211.

The APs 103 illustrated in FIG. 1 can have a similar hardwareconstruction as the nodes 101 as illustrated in FIG. 2. It is to beunderstood, however, that the corresponding communication unit of theAPs 103 is configured to communicate with both the LAN(s) 102 and theWAN(s) 104. The communication unit of the APs 103 can be embodied as asingle transceiver configured to communicate with both the LAN(s) 102and the WAN(s) 104. Alternatively, the communication unit of the APs 103can be embodied as separate transceivers each respectively configured tocommunicate with either the LAN(s) 102 or the WAN(s) 104.

As noted above, due to increasing amounts of machine type communication(MTC) traffic and limited available frequencies, cellular providers haveimplemented congestion mitigation techniques such as (i) access classbarring, (ii) extended access barring, and (iii) low access priorityindications to prevent or limit a cellular-enabled end point device fromaccessing the cellular network to transport data. In some cases, theconnection to the cellular network 104 might be available but notoptimal to the payload of data transmitted by the nodes 101 due to alower bandwidth connection or a high latency connection when the payloadrequires a high data rate or lower latency, or both. In either case, theconnection issues to the cellular network(s) could be specific to aspecific one of the APs 103 or they can be applicable to more than oneof the APs 103.

Due to such restrictions in the WAN(s) 104, the present disclosureprovides that the nodes 101 can each determine whether data to betransmitted to the WAN(s) 104 should be transmitted according to a firsttransmission mode or a second transmission mode. The nodes 101 can makethis determination based on current network conditions in the WAN(s) 104and the data to be transmitted to the WAN(s) 104.

To assist the nodes 101 in this determination, each of the APs 103 isconfigured to periodically advertise its own access parameters to theWAN 104 to the nodes 101 in the LANs 102. For example, the APs 103 canbroadcast their access parameters at regular intervals, and/or the APs103 can provide an update of their access parameters when communicatingwith a particular node (e.g., by an acknowledgment message). The accessparameters of the APs 103 include an indication of access restrictionsthe corresponding access point currently has to the WAN 104. Forexample, the access parameters can include an indication of whether thecorresponding AP 103 has been subjected to (i) access class barring,(ii) extended access barring, (iii) low access priority, (iv)approaching or exceeding a periodic data transfer allowance, as well asother restrictions imposed by the cellular provider.

Each of the nodes 101 is configured to maintain a list of the accessparameters of each AP 103 connected to the LANs 102 based on theadvertised access parameters respectively transmitted from the APs 103.For instance, in the example of FIG. 1, node N-11 is configured to keepa list of the respective access parameters of AP-1, AP-2 and AP-3. Thenodes 101 can update their lists of the APs' access parameters uponreceiving an update from the APs 103 (e.g., via a broadcast message),and/or by receiving updated information about one or more of the APs 103from a neighboring node.

Each of the nodes 101 is configured to determine whether data is to betransmitted to the WAN(s) 104 according to either the first transmissionmode or the second transmission mode based on the data to be transmittedand the list of access parameters maintained by that node 101. Thus, thenodes 101 make the determination of whether to circumvent any datarestrictions in the WAN(s) 104 based on two criteria, the data itselfand the information on access restrictions provided by the APs 103.

In the first transmission mode, the nodes 101 determine to transmit thedata to one of the APs 103 having a lowest cost (e.g., path cost)between that node 102 and the AP 103. For example, in the firsttransmission mode, node N-3 can determine to transmit data to the WAN104 via AP-1 103. The nodes 101 can make this determination, forexample, if it is not important that the type of data reaches itsintended destination by a specific time. In the first transmission mode,the nodes 101 can determine that the data to be transmitted can bedelayed if there are currently restrictions in the cellular network 104.Of course, if none of the APs 103 is currently experiencing any datarestrictions in the cellular network 104, then the nodes 101 woulddetermine to transmit the data according to the first transmission modesince the data would be transmitted to the AP 103 having the lowestcost.

On the other hand, in the second transmission mode, the nodes 101 areconfigured to determine to transmit the data to another one of the APs103 having fewer access restrictions to the WAN(s) 104 than the AP 103having the lowest cost with that node 101. In the above exampleconcerning the first transmission mode, it was described that node N-3can determine to transmit data to the WAN 104 via AP-1 103. Consistentwith this example, in the second transmission mode, node N-3 maydetermine to transmit data to the WAN 104 via AP-3 if AP-3 has feweraccess restrictions to the WAN 104 than AP-1. Node N-3 can transmit thedata to AP-3 by forwarding the data via intermediary nodes connectedwith AP-3. Alternatively, if the APs 103 are communicatively connectedto each other, AP-1 can forward the data received from node N-3 to AP-3,either directly or via intermediary AP-2.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides that the nodes 101 candetermine whether they want to access a more favored cellular-enabled AP103 and send the data through it, if the AP 103 having the lowest costwith the node 101 is currently experiencing data restrictions with thecellular network 104. In addition, based on the lists of AP accessrestrictions maintained by each node 101 and the type of data the node101 desires to send, the node 101 can determine to wait to transmit thedata until the cellular connection with the least-cost AP 103 improves.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example where one cellular provider provides thecellular network for APs-1 to AP-3. The present disclosure is notlimited thereto. Different cellular providers can provide different oroverlapping cellular networks to different APs 103. FIG. 3 illustratessuch an example, where WAN 104 denotes a first cellular network (e.g., aCDMA network) provided by a first cellular provider, and WAN 304 denotesa second cellular network (e.g., a GSM network), which is different fromthe first cellular network and provided by a second cellular providerdifferent from the first cellular provider.

In the example of FIG. 3, if node N-3, for example, receives accessparameters from the APs 103 in which AP-1 has a connection rejection, await time or an indication that AP-1 is currently barred from accessingWAN 104, node N-3 can determine to forward its data to AP-3 which doesnot currently have such restrictions. The nodes can make this decisionfor all traffic or based on a priority of the payload or the latencyrequirement of the payload, for example.

The present disclosure also provides that one of the APs may beconfigured as a low priority access device, where the cellular network(e.g., network 304) can require that the AP-3 delay access for a periodof time. In this case, nodes which may have a lower cost with AP-3 maydetermine to forward their data to another AP (e.g., AP-1) while AP-3 isdesignated as a low priority access device.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, if one of the nodes 101determines that the latency through the cellular network is too highdepending on the type of payload, the node having the latency constraintcan determine if a more favorable path to either one of the cellularnetworks 104, 304 can be achieved through the mesh network 102 andforward its data to another one of the nodes 101 or APs in the meshnetwork that currently has better access to the cellular network(s) 104,304. Similarly, if one of the nodes determines that the data rateavailable in one of the cellular networks 104, 304 is too low to servicethe payload in time, that node can forward its data to another node inthe mesh network to service the payload in time.

In the above-described exemplary embodiments, it was described that thenodes 101 can make the determination whether to utilize another AP thanthe AP with which the node has a lowest cost. In addition, the APs cansimilarly determine to utilize alternative transmission paths throughother APs if other APs in the mesh network provide a preferred datatransfer through one or more of the cellular networks 104, 304.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of mitigating data restrictions in acellular network, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments describedabove. The method includes advertising, by the access points, accessparameters to the at least one second wireless network to the nodes inthe first wireless network, the access parameters including anindication of access restrictions the corresponding access pointcurrently has to the at least one second wireless network (step 401).The method also includes maintaining, by the nodes in the first wirelessnetwork, a list of the access parameters of each access point in thefirst wireless network based on the advertised access parametersrespectively transmitted from the access points (step 402). The methodincludes determining, by at least one of the nodes in the first wirelessnetwork, whether data is to be transmitted to the second wirelessnetwork according to one of a first transmission mode and a secondtransmission mode based on the data to be transmitted and the list ofaccess parameters maintained by that node (step 403). In the firsttransmission mode, the at least one node determines to transmit the datato a first one of the access points having a lowest cost between thenode and the first one of the access points (step 404). In the secondtransmission mode, the at least one node determines to transmit the datato a second one of the access points having fewer access restrictions tothe second wireless network than the first one of the access points(step 405).

In accordance with the exemplary embodiments described above, thepresent disclosure also provides a non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium (e.g., ROM 212, memory unit 214 in FIG. 2) having aprogram tangibly stored thereon that, when executed by a processor(e.g., processor 211 in FIG. 2) of at least one node 101 connected in afirst wireless network (e.g., LAN 102), causes the at least one node 101to execute a method of mitigating data restrictions encountered by atleast one access point 103 among a plurality of access points 103connected to the first wireless network 102 and to at least one secondwireless network (e.g., WAN 104) distinct from the first wirelessnetwork 102, where the plurality of access points 103 each respectivelyconstitute an interface between the first wireless network 102 and theat least one second wireless network 104. The method performed by theanode 101 includes the operative features of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed above.

While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described indetail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration anddescription are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and notrestrictive; the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosedembodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can beunderstood and effected by those skilled in the art and practising theclaimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the presentdisclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word“comprising” or “including” does not exclude other elements or steps,and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Asingle processor or controller or other unit may fulfil the functions ofseveral items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measuresare recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicatethat a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled in the art that thepresent invention can be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Thepresently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respectsto be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the invention isindicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing descriptionand all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalencethereof are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a plurality of nodesconnected in a first wireless network; a plurality of access pointsconnected to the first wireless network and to at least one secondwireless network distinct from the first wireless network, the pluralityof access points each respectively constituting an interface between thefirst wireless network and the at least one second wireless network,wherein: each of the access points is configured to advertise its accessparameters to the at least one second wireless network to the nodes inthe first wireless network, the access parameters including anindication of access restrictions the corresponding access pointcurrently has to the at least one second wireless network, respectively,and current network conditions in the at least one second wirelessnetwork; each of the nodes is configured to maintain a list of theaccess parameters of each access point in the first wireless network tothe at least one second wireless network based on the advertised accessparameters respectively transmitted from the access points; each of thenodes is configured to determine whether data is to be transmitted tothe second wireless network according to one of a first transmissionmode and a second transmission mode based on the data to be transmitted,the list of access parameters maintained by that node, and the currentnetwork conditions in the at least one second network; in the firsttransmission mode, the node is configured to determine to transmit thedata to a first one of the access points having a lowest cost betweenthe node and the first one of the access points; and in the secondtransmission mode, the node is configured to determine to transmit thedata to a second one of the access points having fewer accessrestrictions to the second wireless network than the first one of theaccess points, based on the maintained list of access parameters of eachaccess point to the at least one second wireless network.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein each of the nodes is configured to determine whetherdata is to be transmitted to the second wireless network according toone of the first transmission node and the second transmission modebased on a priority of a payload of the data to be transmitted.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein each of the nodes is configured to determinewhether data is to be transmitted to the second wireless networkaccording to one of the first transmission mode and the secondtransmission mode based on the content of a payload of the data to betransmitted.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the nodes isconfigured to determine whether data is to be transmitted to the secondwireless network according to one of the first transmission mode and thesecond transmission mode based on a latency requirement of a payload ofthe data to be transmitted.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the accessparameters of the access points respectively comprise informationincluding at least one of: (i) whether the corresponding access point issubject to access class barring, (ii) whether the corresponding accesspoint is subject to extended access barring, (iii) whether thecorresponding access point is designated to have low access priority,and (iv) whether the corresponding access point is approaching or hasexceeded a periodic data transfer allowance.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the cost between the node and the first one of the access pointsis a path cost to the first one of the access points, and wherein thepath cost from the node to the first one of the access points is anaggregated cost of egress to each hop along a path from the node to thefirst one of the access points.
 7. A method of mitigating datarestrictions for a plurality of nodes connected in a first wirelessnetwork, wherein a plurality of access points are connected to the firstwireless network and to at least one second wireless network distinctfrom the first wireless network, the plurality of access points eachrespectively constituting an interface between the first wirelessnetwork and the at least one second wireless network, the methodcomprising: advertising, by the access points, access parameters to theat least one second wireless network to the nodes in the first wirelessnetwork, the access parameters including an indication of accessrestrictions the corresponding access point currently has to the atleast one second wireless network, respectively, and current networkconditions in the at least one second wireless network; maintaining, bythe nodes in the first wireless network, a list of the access parametersof each access point in the first wireless network to the at least onesecond wireless network based on the advertised access parametersrespectively transmitted from the access points; determining, by atleast one of the nodes in the first wireless network, whether data is tobe transmitted to the second wireless network according to one of afirst transmission mode and a second transmission mode based on the datato be transmitted, the list of access parameters maintained by thatnode, and the current network conditions in the at least one secondwireless network; in the first transmission mode, determining, by the atleast one node, to transmit the data to a first one of the access pointshaving a lowest cost between the node and the first one of the accesspoints; and in the second transmission mode, determining, by the atleast one node, to transmit the data to a second one of the accesspoints having fewer access restrictions to the second wireless networkthan the first one of the access points, based on the maintained list ofaccess parameters of each access point to the at least one secondwireless network.
 8. The method of claim 7, comprising: determining, bythe at least one of the nodes, whether data is to be transmitted to thesecond wireless network according to one of the first transmission modeand the second transmission mode based on a priority of a payload of thedata to be transmitted.
 9. The method of claim 7, comprising:determining, by the at least one of the nodes, whether data is to betransmitted to the second wireless network according to one of the firsttransmission mode and the second transmission mode based on the contentof a payload of the data to be transmitted.
 10. The method of claim 7,comprising: determining, by the at least one of the nodes, whether datais to be transmitted to the second wireless network according to one ofthe first transmission mode and the second transmission mode based on alatency requirement of a payload of the data to be transmitted.
 11. Themethod of claim 7, wherein the access parameters of the access pointsrespectively comprise information including at least one of: (i) whetherthe corresponding access point is subject to access class barring, (ii)whether the corresponding access point is subject to extended accessbarring, (iii) whether the corresponding access point is designated tohave low access priority, and (iv) whether the corresponding accesspoint is approaching or has exceeded a periodic data transfer allowance.12. The method of claim 7, wherein the cost between the node and thefirst one of the access points is a path cost to the first one of theaccess points, and wherein the path cost from the node to the first oneof the access points is an aggregated cost of egress to each hop along apath from the node to the first one of the access points.
 13. Anon-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a programtangibly stored thereon that, when executed by a processor of at leastone node connected in a first wireless network, causes the at least onenode to execute a method of mitigating data restrictions encountered byat least one access point among a plurality of access points connectedto the first wireless network and to at least one second wirelessnetwork distinct from the first wireless network, the plurality ofaccess points each respectively constituting an interface between thefirst wireless network and the at least one second wireless network, themethod comprising: receiving, from the access points, advertised accessparameters to the at least one second wireless network to the nodes inthe first wireless network, the access parameters including anindication of access restrictions the corresponding access pointcurrently has to the at least one second wireless network, respectively,and current network conditions in the at least one second wirelessnetwork; maintaining a list of the access parameters of each accesspoint in the first wireless network to the at least one second wirelessnetwork based on the advertised access parameters respectivelytransmitted from the access points; determining whether data is to betransmitted to the second wireless network according to one of a firsttransmission mode and a second transmission mode based on the data to betransmitted, the list of access parameters maintained by the at leastone node, and the current network conditions in the at least one secondwireless network; in the first transmission mode, determining totransmit the data to a first one of the access points having a lowestcost between the node and the first one of the access points; and in thesecond transmission mode, determining to transmit the data to a secondone of the access points having fewer access restrictions to the secondwireless network than the first one of the access points, based on themaintained list of access parameters of each access point to the atleast one second wireless network.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable recording medium of claim 13, wherein the methodcomprises: determining, by the at least one of the nodes, whether datais to be transmitted to the second wireless network according to one ofthe first transmission mode and the second transmission mode based on apriority of a payload of the data to be transmitted.
 15. Thenon-transitory computer-readable recording medium of claim 13, whereinthe method comprises: determining whether data is to be transmitted tothe second wireless network according to one of the first transmissionmode and the second transmission mode based on the content of a payloadof the data to be transmitted.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium of claim 13, wherein the method comprises: determiningwhether data is to be transmitted to the second wireless networkaccording to one of the first transmission mode and the secondtransmission mode based on a latency requirement of a payload of thedata to be transmitted.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablerecording medium of claim 13, wherein the access parameters of theaccess points respectively comprise information including at least oneof: (i) whether the corresponding access point is subject to accessclass barring, (ii) whether the corresponding access point is subject toextended access barring, (iii) whether the corresponding access point isdesignated to have low access priority, and (iv) whether thecorresponding access point is approaching or has exceeded a periodicdata transfer allowance.